Warhead

Abstract

A warhead ( 1 ) having a warhead casing ( 2 ) that encloses an explosive charge ( 5 ). To ensure that, during the detonation of the explosive charge ( 5 ), the warhead ( 1 ) effects a rapid acceleration of the fragments flying in the flight direction, and a lesser acceleration of the fragments flying away laterally from the warhead, and/or generates a relatively intense lateral pressure wave, the charge has at least two different partial charges ( 7, 8-10 ) corresponding to the intended use of the warhead ( 1 ). The first partial charge ( 7 ), which is disposed in the region of the tip of the warhead ( 1 ), and comprises, for example, octogen (HMX), possesses a high detonation speed in order, when detonated, to accelerate heavy-metal fragments (preferably WSM spherical fragments) disposed in front of the partial charge very rapidly forward. In contrast, the second partial charge ( 8-10 ), which adjoins the rear of the first partial charge ( 7 ), is a far less costly charge, e.g., RDX, is required solely for accelerating the fragments, comprising steel, for example, that are flying away laterally, or only to generate an intense lateral pressure wave.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A warhead comprising: 
       a warhead casing,  
       a fuze disposed at a front end of the casing, a heavy metal fragment plate disposed in the casing adjacent to said fuze, and an explosive charge disposed within the casing; and wherein  
       the explosive charge comprises:  
       at least first and second partial charges, formed of an explosive and plastic binder that adjoin one another, when seen in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the warhead, with the first partial charge, which faces the front end of the warhead, being comprised of an explosive that has a higher detonation speed than the second partial charge, and being such that heavy metal fragments disposed at the front of the warhead are accelerated axially when the explosive is detonated, and with the second partial charge being selected such that it serves as one of a fragment-accelerating charge for producing fragments that fly away laterally from the warhead, and a charge for generating a pressure wave that is effective to the side of the warhead.  
     
     
       2. The warhead according to  claim 1 , wherein the first partial charge comprises 70-90 percent by volume of octogen (HMX) and 10-30 percent by volume of an inert plastic binder. 
     
     
       3. The warhead according to  claim 2 , wherein the first partial charge comprises 90% octogen and 10% of the binder. 
     
     
       4. The warhead according to  claim 2 , wherein the second partial charge comprises 70-90 percent by volume of hexogen (RDX) and 10-30 percent by volume of an inert plastic binder. 
     
     
       5. The warhead according to  claim 1 , wherein the explosive charge comprises four partial charges, with the first partial charge, which is adjacent to the tip of the warhead, comprising octogen and the adjoining partial charges comprising hexogen. 
     
     
       6. The warhead according to  claim 1 , wherein both charges have the same plastic binder. 
     
     
       7. The warhead according to  claim 6 , wherein the plastic binder is hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB). 
     
     
       8. The warhead according to  claim 1 , wherein a metal powder is added to the second partial charge. 
     
     
       9. The warhead according to  claim 8 , wherein the added metal powder is an aluminum powder.